Homeowner Beat Alleged Burglar with Jiu-Jitsu Training

A Florida man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal tools from a garbage. Problem was, the homeowner was trained in wrestling and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Now 35-year-old Josue Ortiz faces counts of felony burglary and larceny.

Brian Burch told NBC 2 it happened Tuesday in Fort Myers. He said he was at home, and heard a noise. That’s when he went outside and found Ortiz in his garage, he said.

“He was standing right here carrying my jackhammer case and my airgun case,” he said. “He told me that the boss sent him over here to pick up tools to finish a job.”

Burch started questioning Ortiz, who allegedly started to run. The homeowner, who has wrestled and practiced Jiu-Jitsu for two years, pinned him to the ground. He said he hit Ortiz once. Sheriff’s deputies arrived after a neighbor called in the incident.

When Burch started questioning his explanation, Ortiz tried to take off running, but failed to slip out of the jiu-jitsu student’s grasp.

“They told him he got exactly what he deserved,” Burch said. “He had a broken nose.” He later added, “If the kids had been here, I probably would have been even angrier.”

Deputies arrested Ortiz on charges of burglary and grand theft and booked him into Lee County jail.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Ortiz was released Sunday after paying $20,000 in bond. He could not be reached for comment.